Levy: ‘I’m post-partisan’

He waved his arms. He showed off the most recent issue of USA Today, which contained a story about continued spending by states. He talked about his record in Suffolk County of managing a deficit, cutting spending, and not raising taxes. He decried the “politically-correct crowd” he says is “apologizing” for America around the world.

Leaders of both the Republican and Conservative parties have now endorsed Rick Lazio for governor. Levy, an enrolled Democrat who today showed off his conservative chops, spent last week meeting with Republican leaders in an attempt to show he is a viable alternative to Lazio. Now, he emphasizes that point with added clause “things change.”

“That’s fine,” Levy said of the new commitments to Lazio. “I respect anything that any party or party leaders want to do. I’m post-partisan, so to speak. My belief is that you should espouse a certain core belief and present it to the public.”The balloting process, however, is not yet post-partisan. If Levy cannot secure a spot on an established line, he would have to petition for a line, no easy logistical feat, he acknowledged. “Can it be viable? I don’t know,” he said. “Am I ruling it out? No.”

Democratic leaders have not shown much excitement for Levy; most, in fact, are expecting Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to be the party’s nominee for governor, if he declares his candidacy for that office. Some Hispanic Democrats have attacked Levy as racist for his positions and statements regarding immigrants.